Harold Gonsalves

Harold Gonsalves (January 28, 1926 – April 15, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps private first class who was killed in action during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. He was awarded the nation's highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his heroic action on April 15, 1945.

Early years Gonsalves, a Portuguese-American, was born in Alameda, California, on January 28, 1926. A substantial Portuguese-American immigrant community centered around Oakland had developed in the San Francisco Bay Area beginning in the 1880s. His father's family may have immigrated to the United States from Portugal in 1888, and his mother, born Anna Cambra in territorial-era Hawaii, was also descended from Portuguese immigrants. His father, John Gonsalves, was born in Massachusetts, had a fifth-grade education, and worked in a boiler factory, and as a teamster, driving trucks for a lumber company in Oakland. At Alameda High School, Gonsalves had taken part in football, basketball, baseball, track, and swimming. He also sang tenor in the school glee club. After two and one-half years of high school, as a high school junior, Gonsalves quit to take a job as a stock clerk with Montgomery Ward in Oakland and then join the war effort. When it finally became necessary for the team to advance to the actual front lines, the officer in charge took Gonsalves and another man with him. Gonsalves was at that time the acting Scout Sergeant of the team, with Battery L, Fourth Battalion, 15th Marines of the Sixth Division. Gonsalves was only 19 years old when he was killed in action.

Censorship On March 5, 2025, following the executive orders of President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S. military to remove diversity-related content across the federal government. A photograph of Gonsalves was included among the 26,000 pieces of content flagged for removal for being perceived as promoting diversity, equity and inclusion due to his perceived racial background, having been of Portuguese heritage.

Namesakes Established in 1958, the Northern Training Area, a US Marine Corps training base located in 20,000 acres (80 km2) of single and double canopy jungle on the northern end of Okinawa, was named after PFC Gonsalves in 1986. Its name was later changed in 1998 to the Marine Corps Jungle Warfare Training Center.

Gonsalves Avenue, on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS Miramar) was named after PFC Gonsalves after the Marine Corps assumed control in 1997.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Acting Scout Sergeant of a Forward Observer Team, serving with Battery L, Fourth Battalion, Fifteenth Marines, Sixth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces in Okinawa Shima in the Ryūkyū Chain, 15 April 1945. Undaunted by the powerfully organized opposition encountered on Motobu Peninsula during a fierce assault waged by a Marine infantry battalion against a Japanese strong-hold, Private First Class Gonsalves repeatedly braved the terrific hostile bombardment to aid his Forward Observation Team in directing well-placed artillery fire and, when his commanding officer determined to move into the front lines in order to register a more effective bombardment in the enemy's defensive position, unhesitatingly advanced uphill with the officer and another Marine despite a slashing barrage of enemy mortar and rifle fire. As they reached the front, a Japanese grenade fell close within the group. Instantly Private First Class Gonsalves dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby protecting the others from serious and perhaps fatal wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Private First Class Gonsalves readily yielded his own chances of survival that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against the fanatic Japanese and his cool decision, prompt action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. /S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

Awards and decorations

BadgeMedal of HonorPurple Heart1st rowCombat Action RibbonNavy Presidential Unit CitationNavy Unit Commendation with one service star2nd rowAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one campaign starWorld War II Victory Medal